The 5 best rooms on a cruise ship after trying them all

I’ve cruised on dozens of Royal Caribbean ships, and it’s clear there are a few kinds of cruise rooms that are the better than others.I’ve had my fair share of bad staterooms, from noisy cabins near crew access doors to hard-to-find interior staterooms. When planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s important to pick the right cabin. Otherwise, you could be kept awake by the late-night thumping of the nightclub or awoken by the anchor dropping in tender ports. While the “best” cruise room is determined based on your budget, preferences, and itinerary, there are 5 solid options that rarely disappoint — and one that is almost a bad idea for first-timers. Traditional ocean balconyBalconies are the most popular cruise cabin category, and for good reason. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a front-row view of the ocean or a new port of call, especially on a scenic cruise to places like Alaska and Norway? Generally speaking, balcony staterooms offer a great balance of space, amenities, and price. They aren’t as cheap as windowless inside staterooms, but they aren’t going to break the bank like spacious suites within the Royal Suite Class. The newer the ship, the more balcony cabins available. For example, Icon of the Seas has a whopping 1,815 balcony staterooms onboard. Be careful, though. Oasis and Icon Class vessels have interior-facing balconies. You don’t want to choose a neighborhood balcony if you’re dreaming of an ocean view. Read more: I stayed in balcony cabins on 5 different cruise ships. Here’s how they comparedMidship inside roomAn unfortunate reality of cruising is seasickness. Even if you don’t think you’ll be affected by the ship’s rocking, it is smart to come prepared with remedies like Dramamine, Sea-Bands, or even prescription patches from your doctor. You never know when you will hit an unexpected storm, and rough seas can make even seasoned travelers feel queasy and dizzy. Another pro tip is to book a midship interior stateroom, preferably on a lower deck. Although nothing is ever guaranteed, these cabins often experience the least amount of movement. By staying close to the midship, you reduce the swaying sensation felt most in forward and aft cabins, as the middle of the vessel is like an equilibrium point. Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship. Here’s why I actually like these roomsConnecting cabins for families While most Royal Caribbean staterooms are designed to accommodate two to four guests, fitting four people into one cabin can feel crowded and uncomfortable. As such, many families like to book connecting (or adjoining) staterooms. It’s cheaper than splurging on a suite, and it gives everyone more space to unwind and settle in. Having two bathrooms is a major perk, too. Instead of rushing to shower after a long day ashore or compete with your teens for vanity space, everyone can get ready at their own pace. Connecting cabins come in nearly every stateroom category, from interior to ocean-view, balcony, and suite. There are even some suites that connect to standard cabins for a flexible setup that allows parents to enjoy the suite perks while keeping the kids close by. Read more: I booked two cabins for my kids. I’d book the same family travel hack, but there’s one thing I’d changeGrand SuiteRoyal Caribbean suites come in all shapes and sizes, from Junior Suites (that are essentially large balcony cabins) to the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon and Star of the Seas. Because of this, it can be hard to narrow down the best pick. However, if you’re looking for a suite with a good variety of perks without splurging on a top-tier room, a Grand Suite is a solid choice. Grand Suites offer more space, upgraded amenities, priority boarding, and access to exclusive areas like suite lounges. Even better, guests staying in Grand Suites on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships can dine at the suite-only Coastal Kitchen restaurant.  Still, Grand Suites are more expensive than standard cabins. For instance, a Grand Suite on Icon of the Seas’ October 3, 2026, sailing starts at $4,905 per person. However, an ocean-view balcony on the same sailing starts at closer to $1,950 per person. As such, Grand Suites are smart for first-time cruisers looking to celebrate something special onboard, such as a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or graduation, rather than the frequent sailor. Infinite BalconyInfinite balconies are controversial. Some love the extra living space, while others miss having a traditional cruise balcony. Although nothing comes close to having personal, outdoor space on a cruise ship, there are some pros to these Icon Class-exclusive cabins. First, you get uninterrupted views of the ocean from the massive floor-to-ceiling window. Another big advantage is the extra indoor living space. This is a perk in the Caribbean, when it is sometimes too warm to take advantage of the balcony. On extremely hot or humid days, you won’t lose usable cabin space that might otherwise remain unused.Finally, infinite balconies are more private, as they don’t share thin dividers with neighboring cabins. Since the balcony area is enclosed within your stateroom, it’s practically impossible for other guests to peek into your space or hear your conversations. First-time cruisers should avoid guarantee cabinsGuarantee (or GTY) cabins might seem appealing because of the cost. For a cheaper rate, you give up the ability to select your stateroom, allowing Royal Caribbean to randomly assign your cabin closer to your sailing date. You won’t be given a room lower than the category you booked. Beyond that, however, the exact location is up to Royal Caribbean. It’s a risky gamble. For example, if you choose a guarantee balcony, you could end up with an obstructed view room. On the flip side, those worried about motion sickness could be assigned a cabin at the front of the ship, where you’re more likely to feel the vessel’s movement.While some guests have gotten lucky with the random upgrade or perfect cabin location, there’s a lot of uncertainty when reserving a guarantee stateroom. As such, it is best to avoid guarantee cabins on your first cruise.
Appeared first on: Royalcaribbeanblog.com